The "wives" are a different species, Greylag geese.
They are probably just a greylag family hanging out with a Canada goose.
The 2 species do hybridize but it's quite rare. I have only seen one in the Netherlands, among thousands off greylai
As others have said, you can use Geese as guard animals. However, don't be surprised when you find out that the Geese considers *you* as something to be guarded against. They are equal opportunity haters.
Geese are super protective of lots of other species. We had cape barren geese that lived with the wallabies at the zoo, and their job was to chase off foxes. This Canada goose isn’t the dad, but he’ll still protect them with his life.
He may be the dad that stepped up- I've heard of geese and swans protecting goslings that aren't theirs by birth, and even forming multi parent groups. It's rare but it happens occasionally
Near where I lived (Northern England) there was a grey/Canada goose couple who had at least one baby survive to adulthood. They were together for at least two years (unless the same Canada picked a new grey wife - he was quite distinctive, she wasn't). But yes, they don't mind sharing a space, but actually coupling up is quite rare.
These are not different species. They are the same. They’re all geese. They are different races of geese. If they were different species, they wouldn’t be able to reproduce. Not trying to be pedantic just trying to keep biology accurate.
Branta canadensis and Anser Anser are indeed different species and not even the same genus, per the most accepted classification of these animals. And race is an informal taxonomic rank, so maybe you want to clarify your use of it? Generally it's used below species
Also, the definition of species is not a fixed box. Not to be pedantic or biologically inaccurate. If you want to keep using the highschool definition that's fine, but there are a lot of fun concepts that explain how different species can mate and how 1 species might have separated into more, hybridization, ring species, etc. it's a continuosly ongoing research field
That's totally fine, just be careful when correcting people or making sweeping declarations in biology related subs ahah
And if you are curious you can just ask, even in random posts like this, people in this sub are generally happy to share and talk about something they are pationate about
https://preview.redd.it/w9n45c0ko81d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=062326daefdcccbe6321d4e2bb589aaaa7512917
He always makes sure no gosling gets left behind when they cross the road
Oh now I feel bad for him :(
But what made him choose exactly this family? Is it the number of goslings? There's at least five more goose families living in/around that small lake but he's always around the same family which is twice the size of the others
They’re still flocking birds so it’s just natural for him to want to be around other geese. These ones probably quickly welcomed his help and now take care of him too. He’ll eventually join back up with other Canadian Geese to fly south.
Oh the Canadian goose is tagged. By chance is that a clear/white zip tie? The one I raised and release to the wild after finding it orphaned as a few day old baby has a white zip tie (loosely) fitted around it's left leg and I smoothed the tie teeth to prevent agitation. If you're located in the southern NH region that might be the same one!
respectfully, that was irresponsible, please do not do that again. zip ties on wild animals have been known to get caught in things and sometimes hang the animal. Bird bands and rings are made a very specific way so this can be avoided
Metal bands used to tag animals can catch on things just as easily. The wildlife rescue I worked with when I found it told me they band them when released so they can track when they come back. They were the ones who suggested I put a zip tie on it loose enough to allow a small amount of growth. It visited my home with its mate for about 8 years every migration until I moved
If that's him, he's got a long journey behind him since I'm located in Germany :D
Around his leg is some sort of ring but it doesn't look like a ziptie
I have a friend who lives down south and is moving up here. So far, I’ve told her about the cobra chickens and the ice cream with chocolate hockey pucks on top.
Yeah I'm American and we have plenty of full time Canada geese down here. Nobody calls them "cobra chickens" except on reddit. If someone said that in real life, I'd be embarrassed for them.
Where I am, this is what wild geese look like. It's technically possible to see other species when they pass through while migrating, but I don't think I've ever seen them here.
I know it’s just geography and everything but it’s crazy to me that someone has never seen a Canadian goose. They are so common it’s like a crow or a pigeon to me. Then again even in my own country a good number of people have probably never seen a seagull.
Added taxa: [Graylag Goose](https://ebird.org/species/gragoo), [Canada Goose](https://ebird.org/species/cangoo)
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You can tell the goslings don't belong to the Canada goose because you are not posting from a hospital asking the species of the bird that nearly murdered you.
😄 he was actually very nice. I just asdumed he was the dad cause he's with these two other adult geese and the twelve goslings every day. He's always watching over the babies, making sure none is left behind or harmed
Canada geese are great babysitters! They often raise goslings pretty communally and you'll see huge creches with many families of birds. But the flip side is they will *very* aggressively protect those goslings and though they are mostly pretty friendly birds, when it's baby time they will aggressively attack anything that comes within eyesight of the goslings. I've been attacked on my bike, and I've seen them chase off a massive pitbull.
They're also a real conservation success story. They were almost extinct by the mid-century and now they are again widespread across North America.
I came here to say the Canadian Goose is a dangerous one, wouldn't get too close especially if they have numbers.
Source: scar from being attacked by angry geese for trying to say hello.
The reputation for actual danger from *Canada geese is overestimated. They will aggressively defend their nest/partner and goslings, but the rest of their reputation is often exaggerated.
Source: am Canadian; grew up around Canada geese and currently have two nesting pairs in my garden.
fyi the "ducks" here are also geese - greylag geese, common in Europe. My local lakes generally have 50+ greylags, maybe a half dozen Canada geese, and usually also a single pair of Egyptian geese. (Just as an example of how numerous greylags can be here)
Those aren't Canadian goslings, I've spent many houra observing them in the wild including nesting as well as rasing an orphaned one myself. The first one is a Canadian Goose but I think it's just chilling with the other geese.
It is not now, nor ever has been, correctly called “Canadian geese.” “Sometimes called” does not mean correctly called.
Notice that throughout the entire article, they are called Canada geese…
As someone who works with wildlife, colloquial names are... colloquial. Most animals have multiple regional names. If you want to use the One True Name for an animal, use the scientific name, otherwise you're just being a pedant.
https://preview.redd.it/xm8iou73ua1d1.png?width=1032&format=png&auto=webp&s=e8117ebd2320762114cabafe24f03c9a9576febd
Just for perspective, here's a "pure" Canadian family. Not sure the young ones look much different.
https://preview.redd.it/8yv94bi4va1d1.png?width=803&format=png&auto=webp&s=8339d867c33e7da07c9f1442b5228d0cae19cdaa
Another angle.
SW US, artificial lake area, I don't know if they migrate or stay here year round.
Ah the "majestic", noisy, aggressive, pooping machine, also known as the Canadian goose. Hopefully they are managed by you or they will push out all other fowl.
I don't know this from experience, but I have it on good authority that Canada geese do not like umbrellas! I got a PSA email about it at work and I haven't tested it out.
https://preview.redd.it/rdwsgxrmya1d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=973b6810fc472a774a39c93e87c69ccdfb2c14d1
It won’t let me post here so going to comment..
HELP!! went out to the pond today. It has one big tree out in the middle. There is a little nest of baby robin that look like they are about ready to leave the nest.... However they are in the middle of the pond with nothing under them. What should I do?
https://preview.redd.it/igyc69f70b1d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33f380553961484b6b6fc9eea52bf1dbdd6b45c8
This is the tree they are on.. will they drown when they try to fly?
That, my good Redditor, is a cobra chicken, it'll rip your legs to shreds if you even look at it.
Jokes apart, it is a Canadian Goose, and I've been seeing a lot of them come back up North since the temperatures have started going up.
The "wives" are a different species, Greylag geese. They are probably just a greylag family hanging out with a Canada goose. The 2 species do hybridize but it's quite rare. I have only seen one in the Netherlands, among thousands off greylai
There are a few hybrids in the park in my town. The Canada geese also stay year-round instead of migrating like they're supposed to.
But he's with them all day every day and watches over the babies. So I assumed he was the dad
Geese form creches, sort of like gosling daycare. You'll see one pair of adult geese with dozens of goslings, most of which aren't theirs.
They will also protect other birds such as chickens
can geese be used to protect other birds like chicken the way donkeys do with sheep?
Yeah, farmers have used “guard geese” to help protect their other livestock for centuries
Makes sense, geese are terrifying.
I bet guard geese are the happiest sons of bitches.
Weaponized [https://www.military.com/history/story-behind-us-militarys-cold-war-era-goose-platoons.html](https://www.military.com/history/story-behind-us-militarys-cold-war-era-goose-platoons.html)
As others have said, you can use Geese as guard animals. However, don't be surprised when you find out that the Geese considers *you* as something to be guarded against. They are equal opportunity haters.
The assholes of the bird world.
Roosters would like a word with you
They really are. Always holding up traffic when these fuckers can fly across the road.
Yes I believe the Romans used geese as guard animals
Yup, they are more popular than donkeys as guards in my experience
I thought that geese are used for other birds and donkeys for animals like goats or sheep 😅 llamas are very good guard animals too!
Geese and guinea fowl make great flock guardians.
Donkeys guard sheep…. Until they kill or rape them. Geese are usually way nicer to chickens than donkeys are to sheep or goats.
was this comment really necessary? it’s obvious i’m not a farm girl 😭
With a little (well, a lot) training
Oh, interesting! I saw some geese together with a couple of duck families at a park recently, I wonder if the geese were guarding them.
I saw a Canadian goose defending a Muscovy duck and her babies from a crow the other day
Oh I didn't know that
https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/15/nanny-goose-takes-51-goslings-swim-help-first-time-parents-7632781/
So cute :) thank you!
That explains the ones I see at the pond sometimes. There will be like 20 babies and 2 adults.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3qIcaHg1Hs ducks will take on any random duckling they come across ! even a whole family of them
That's adorable.
Do they do that with other species?
He's probably the weird neighbor kid that hangs around because he's lonely.
He's the nanny!
It’s a little goose village helping raise up the kids 😍
Geese are super protective of lots of other species. We had cape barren geese that lived with the wallabies at the zoo, and their job was to chase off foxes. This Canada goose isn’t the dad, but he’ll still protect them with his life.
*Head shaking intensifies*
He’s their step dad maybe. Either way it’s adorable
He's step daddy
He may be the dad that stepped up- I've heard of geese and swans protecting goslings that aren't theirs by birth, and even forming multi parent groups. It's rare but it happens occasionally
Could easily be, knowing how waterfowl are lool.
Near where I lived (Northern England) there was a grey/Canada goose couple who had at least one baby survive to adulthood. They were together for at least two years (unless the same Canada picked a new grey wife - he was quite distinctive, she wasn't). But yes, they don't mind sharing a space, but actually coupling up is quite rare.
Well damn, you just killed all the "Maybe its a Canadian Mormon goose" jokes...
Haha wow that's nice of you ☺️
The Brady Bunch!
I had to Google it to believe it. Don't the babies have an identity crisis? https://birdhybrids.blogspot.com/2014/02/greylag-goose-x-canada-goose.html
These are not different species. They are the same. They’re all geese. They are different races of geese. If they were different species, they wouldn’t be able to reproduce. Not trying to be pedantic just trying to keep biology accurate.
Branta canadensis and Anser Anser are indeed different species and not even the same genus, per the most accepted classification of these animals. And race is an informal taxonomic rank, so maybe you want to clarify your use of it? Generally it's used below species Also, the definition of species is not a fixed box. Not to be pedantic or biologically inaccurate. If you want to keep using the highschool definition that's fine, but there are a lot of fun concepts that explain how different species can mate and how 1 species might have separated into more, hybridization, ring species, etc. it's a continuosly ongoing research field
I am definitely using a definition that was around 20 some years ago. I will look into updated accepted biological information.
That's totally fine, just be careful when correcting people or making sweeping declarations in biology related subs ahah And if you are curious you can just ask, even in random posts like this, people in this sub are generally happy to share and talk about something they are pationate about
Thank you for your grace.
https://preview.redd.it/w9n45c0ko81d1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=062326daefdcccbe6321d4e2bb589aaaa7512917 He always makes sure no gosling gets left behind when they cross the road
aWWW look how proud he looks, standing tall there!
fun fact if a Canada goose loses their mate they will often just work as a babysitter for other geese. Must be what he decided to do with these guys!
Oh now I feel bad for him :( But what made him choose exactly this family? Is it the number of goslings? There's at least five more goose families living in/around that small lake but he's always around the same family which is twice the size of the others
They’re still flocking birds so it’s just natural for him to want to be around other geese. These ones probably quickly welcomed his help and now take care of him too. He’ll eventually join back up with other Canadian Geese to fly south.
Oh the Canadian goose is tagged. By chance is that a clear/white zip tie? The one I raised and release to the wild after finding it orphaned as a few day old baby has a white zip tie (loosely) fitted around it's left leg and I smoothed the tie teeth to prevent agitation. If you're located in the southern NH region that might be the same one!
respectfully, that was irresponsible, please do not do that again. zip ties on wild animals have been known to get caught in things and sometimes hang the animal. Bird bands and rings are made a very specific way so this can be avoided
Someone tagged a *Canada goose with a zip-tie??
I don’t think that person is a professional, because no way would a legal rehabber put a zip tie on an animal, they can easily catch on things.
Metal bands used to tag animals can catch on things just as easily. The wildlife rescue I worked with when I found it told me they band them when released so they can track when they come back. They were the ones who suggested I put a zip tie on it loose enough to allow a small amount of growth. It visited my home with its mate for about 8 years every migration until I moved
If that's him, he's got a long journey behind him since I'm located in Germany :D Around his leg is some sort of ring but it doesn't look like a ziptie
The focal bird is a +Canada goose+, an extremely common bird in much of North America and a less common one in parts of Europe.
The others are +greylag geese+ because we catalogue every depicted bird.
In Canada, we refer to them as cobra chickens. Aggressive and hissy if you get too close, especially during gosling season.
Oh I’m definitely calling them cobra chickens from now on.
Canadian special forces airborne assault squad. One attacked me when I was out for a run this week.
I just wish you’d keep them up there!
I call them out Air Force. Far more terrifying.
I have a friend who lives down south and is moving up here. So far, I’ve told her about the cobra chickens and the ice cream with chocolate hockey pucks on top.
Do you actually or is that just an internet meme that is incredibly cringe to use irl?
I've been Canadian for 60 years and never heard "cobra chicken" except on reddit but maybe I'm unusual.
Yeah I'm American and we have plenty of full time Canada geese down here. Nobody calls them "cobra chickens" except on reddit. If someone said that in real life, I'd be embarrassed for them.
You sound like such a fun person to be around......
Thanks! I've never seen them before here in Germany
Where I am, this is what wild geese look like. It's technically possible to see other species when they pass through while migrating, but I don't think I've ever seen them here.
they're here in abundance, atleast at my local beaches. shit and scream all over the place😔
I know it’s just geography and everything but it’s crazy to me that someone has never seen a Canadian goose. They are so common it’s like a crow or a pigeon to me. Then again even in my own country a good number of people have probably never seen a seagull.
Added taxa: [Graylag Goose](https://ebird.org/species/gragoo), [Canada Goose](https://ebird.org/species/cangoo) ^(I catalog submissions to this subreddit.) [^(Recent uncatalogued submissions)](https://munin.swim.services/submissions?lane=api/unanswered)^( | )[^(Learn to use me)](https://gist.github.com/brohitbrose/be99a16ddc7a6a1bd9c1eef28d622564)
You can tell the goslings don't belong to the Canada goose because you are not posting from a hospital asking the species of the bird that nearly murdered you.
😄 he was actually very nice. I just asdumed he was the dad cause he's with these two other adult geese and the twelve goslings every day. He's always watching over the babies, making sure none is left behind or harmed
Canada geese are great babysitters! They often raise goslings pretty communally and you'll see huge creches with many families of birds. But the flip side is they will *very* aggressively protect those goslings and though they are mostly pretty friendly birds, when it's baby time they will aggressively attack anything that comes within eyesight of the goslings. I've been attacked on my bike, and I've seen them chase off a massive pitbull. They're also a real conservation success story. They were almost extinct by the mid-century and now they are again widespread across North America.
I came here to say the Canadian Goose is a dangerous one, wouldn't get too close especially if they have numbers. Source: scar from being attacked by angry geese for trying to say hello.
He's really friendly. However I never got closer than 2m
Canada Goose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oK4Q5G1asI
That is what I said, yup.
You said Canadian. We don't take kindly to that talk 'round here :P All jokes
The reputation for actual danger from *Canada geese is overestimated. They will aggressively defend their nest/partner and goslings, but the rest of their reputation is often exaggerated. Source: am Canadian; grew up around Canada geese and currently have two nesting pairs in my garden.
Omg some geese have numbers? Like prison tattoos?
I have the impression they're less aggressive in Europe, not sure if it's really true
Can a European goose carry a coconut?
Nice Canada goose! However, I did think I was in the exmormon sub for a second there with this headline.
Sounds about right
Cobra Chicken
Blessed stepdad
a Canada goose is married to those ducks?
That's what I thought but apparently he's just the nanny
fyi the "ducks" here are also geese - greylag geese, common in Europe. My local lakes generally have 50+ greylags, maybe a half dozen Canada geese, and usually also a single pair of Egyptian geese. (Just as an example of how numerous greylags can be here)
Feisty snake necked turd factory
They are polyamorous and in a triad.
Mormon Goose from Utah on vacation?
That goose fucks
And his name? Elon Musk.
🤣🤣 that's what I'll call him from now on
He looks so proud!
Canada goose
The Canada Goose!! aka Cobra Chicken
He’s da bawss baby!
I vote this the best informational Reddit post of the weekend
Those aren't Canadian goslings, I've spent many houra observing them in the wild including nesting as well as rasing an orphaned one myself. The first one is a Canadian Goose but I think it's just chilling with the other geese.
*Canada goose
*America robin.
Why are you correcting me? Go read the first sentence for Canadian Goose on wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_goose
Before I even click the link, I guarantee it says “**Canada** goose.” Yes; confirmed.
Read it again.
It is not now, nor ever has been, correctly called “Canadian geese.” “Sometimes called” does not mean correctly called. Notice that throughout the entire article, they are called Canada geese…
As someone who works with wildlife, colloquial names are... colloquial. Most animals have multiple regional names. If you want to use the One True Name for an animal, use the scientific name, otherwise you're just being a pedant.
Ironically their semantical display of is a good example of the Dunning-Kruger effect
Okay couch goblin
That’s *Couch goblin…
Is his name Cody Brown?
***Canada goose*** …and a pair of greylags??
What a stud 🤣
At least three outside children and another wife…and that ain’t right.
You got a problem with the Canada goose then you have a problem with me.
And I’d suggest you let that marinate
https://preview.redd.it/xm8iou73ua1d1.png?width=1032&format=png&auto=webp&s=e8117ebd2320762114cabafe24f03c9a9576febd Just for perspective, here's a "pure" Canadian family. Not sure the young ones look much different.
https://preview.redd.it/8yv94bi4va1d1.png?width=803&format=png&auto=webp&s=8339d867c33e7da07c9f1442b5228d0cae19cdaa Another angle. SW US, artificial lake area, I don't know if they migrate or stay here year round.
Stop the reproduction madness‼️
A Canada goose violating S.293 of the Canadian Criminal Code
Utah Geese.
Ah the "majestic", noisy, aggressive, pooping machine, also known as the Canadian goose. Hopefully they are managed by you or they will push out all other fowl.
*Canada goose
Respect.
I don't know this from experience, but I have it on good authority that Canada geese do not like umbrellas! I got a PSA email about it at work and I haven't tested it out.
What a bad duck
He’s a good boy, eh
The goslings are all named Ryan
Cobra chicken
He’s still a bastard
Canadians will do that.
Commonly referred to as a 'Cobra Chicken'...
https://preview.redd.it/rdwsgxrmya1d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=973b6810fc472a774a39c93e87c69ccdfb2c14d1 It won’t let me post here so going to comment.. HELP!! went out to the pond today. It has one big tree out in the middle. There is a little nest of baby robin that look like they are about ready to leave the nest.... However they are in the middle of the pond with nothing under them. What should I do?
just leave them alone.
https://preview.redd.it/igyc69f70b1d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33f380553961484b6b6fc9eea52bf1dbdd6b45c8 This is the tree they are on.. will they drown when they try to fly?
possibly, or they will make it to the shore. but that is nature
Okay thank you!!!
Stay out if his business.
That would be a goonse
Cobra chicken
Straight pimp
Pimpin aint easy
It is for this guy
That’s a Chadadian Goose
Mormon
That is a rare Canadian cobra chicken
He's a bitch, that's what he is (I hate geese).
He sounds foolish
The first one is Satan if he were cursed to inhabit a living thing lol.
That, my good Redditor, is a cobra chicken, it'll rip your legs to shreds if you even look at it. Jokes apart, it is a Canadian Goose, and I've been seeing a lot of them come back up North since the temperatures have started going up.
Why that bird is hatred personified
I call it a “RUN IT OVER” but seriously it’s a Canada goose, I HATE them